Monday Mashups: An Alternative Halloween

Happy Halloween! If you survived a spooktacular weekend, we hope you have a little more in you to take on tonight's festivities! We're treating you to an awesome Halloween alternative. Not that hitting the streets and rounding up some candy isn't fun, but if you want a bit of a challenge while facing some ghosts and ghouls, we know just what you can do! Try out Boda Borg.

What is a Boda Borg? It's Questing. Well, what on earth is Questing? Guests are transported into a real-world gaming environment; an experience called Questing. Teams of 3-5 guests literally move through their Quests tackling a variety of mental and physical challenges. Success in the first challenge means entry into the next challenge and so on. Failure in any challenge means starting over or selecting another Quest.

Do you have what it takes? Each Quest is a series of 2 to 5 or more separate challenges. Their themed Quests can take place in a jungle, a house, an airplane, outer space, just about any place you can imagine. Each Boda Borg location typically has 20-25 exhilarating, adrenaline-pumping Quests. And, they change the Quests periodically, ensuring a new experience each time you visit. Successfully completing any Quest or special groups of Quests means huge bragging rights!

To switch things up a bit, Boda Borg incorporated a little Halloween fun into their Quests for the month of October. If you've ever thought that Boda Borg would make a perfect haunted house or wondered if someone might jump out at you while Questing, this is the day where all of that will come true. Starting at 5PM today Boda Borg will be in full 'Boda Booooo', meaning scarers in costume in the Quest area; you'll never known when one might be waiting just around the corner!

Boda Borg is located at 90 Pleasant St. in Malden, MA. For a two hour Quest the cost is $18 per person and for as long as you want, the cost is $28 per person. Enjoy this alternative to Halloween and devour the details of a challenging thrill-filled night!

Three Ways to Trick and Treat Yourself This Halloween Weekend

There are plenty of opportunities this weekend to spook yourself out in and around Boston. Some even involve your pets! But when it comes to treating yourself this Halloween, these three events will soon be your favorite. Check out these fun and fright-filled ways to get into the holiday spirit this weekend!

Coolidge Theatre Horror Movie Marathon

If you're in the mood for popcorn and a good thrill, the Coolidge will step up to the plate for horror movie fans with a 12-hour marathon, starting at midnight with Scream and Scream 2. Like any good horror film director, the Coolidge is building the suspense by keeping the next four films in the marathon a secret until they hit the screen. We cringe just thinking of all the scary movies they could possibly be! Eeek. So join us Sunday, October 30 from 12AM to 12PM at the Coolidge Corner Theatre. Tickets are $25 for a double feature and $30 for all six films; open to all ages. Good luck getting some sleep after this marathon!

Halloween Pet Parade and Costume Contest

Let's taco bout it! There is nothing better than a pet parade--except one that involves costumes! Have some fun with your pet at Faneuil Hall Marketplace this weekend during the Halloween-themed parade and costume contest. There will be prizes for Best of Show, Best Owner and Pet Combo, Best Local Representation, and Most Creative. Registration and viewing are both free! Dress your pet in their Halloween best and join in on this spooktacular event, Saturday, October 29 from 12PM to 2PM! Don't forget to take a lot of photos!

Halloween on the Harbor 2016

Again this year--going door to door for treats isn’t just for kids! At the seventh annual Halloween on the Harbor, adults can dress up in costumes, hop between 15 of the Seaport District’s bars and restaurants, either on foot or in a free Duck Boat, and enjoy food, drink, and games throughout. Count us in! Proceeds from the $10 tickets will benefit Friends of the Fort Point Channel. You won't want to miss this ghoulishly good time! Be a part of the fun Friday, October 28 from 7PM to 10PM! Registration is at TAMO Bistro & Bar and from there you can navigate your way around with all the other creatures of the night!

We can't wait to see all of the brilliant costumes that come to be this Halloween and how everyone devours the details of a wicked weekend!

Wedding Wednesdays: Manicure Trends

This is a detail you may not think of until the week before your wedding but it is always good to plan ahead! Though you might not realize it, your hands are going to be in a lot of photos and somewhat of the focus during the ceremony. Why not jazz them up? Steer clear of the usual French manicure and make a statement with these trends!

Something Borrowed, Something Blue

If you're looking to add that pop of color to appease this tradition, try this blue manicure idea! A sure way to make your nails stand out!

Show Your Love in More Ways than One

Don't just say it, show your love with this awesome nail design! We love this manicure!

Lace Accents

If your gown is lace, try this matching manicure! Use your accent nail to highlight the delicate details of your dress. A perfect match, just like you and your groom!

Be One with Your Bridesmaids

Have your manicure compliment the bridesmaids dresses! We love how the nail color will pop against your white gown and connects you to your besties. Can't go wrong with this idea!

I Do

Make that feeling last even after your vows with this friendly reminder! A beautiful way to share your 'I Do' moment for days to come. Adorable!

Ombre

This beats a French tenfold! We foresee this being the new go-to for weddings. We even love the bling accents!

Sparkles and Stripes

We are obsessed with this manicure! It is absolutely stunning. The sparkles and stripes make for an eye-catching nail design that compliments your ring beautifully!

We hope this got you thinking and inspired you to devour the details of your wedding manicure! Share your nail designs with us. We'd love to hear from you!

Candy Inspired Cocktails for Halloween

If you're too old for trick-or-treating, here's another option to satisfy that sweet tooth this weekend! Get your Halloween on with these candy inspired cocktails. From tootsie rolls to snickers, you can't go wrong with these adult treats. Cheers to enjoying the spookiest day of the year with a cocktail!

Snickertini by Van Gogh Vodka

Ingredients:
Chocolate sauce
Caramel sauce
1.5 oz Van Gogh Dutch Caramel Vodka
.5 oz Baileys Irish Cream
.5 oz Chocolate liqueur
.5 oz Amaretto
1 tsp Cream

Preparation:
Drizzle thin lines of caramel and chocolate sauce on the inside of a rocks glass and chill in the refrigerator. Add the remaining ingredients to a shaker and fill with ice. Shake, and pour (unstrained) into the prepared glass.

Candy Corn-Infused Vodka by Amanda Marsteller

Ingredients:
1 (750 mL) bottle inexpensive vodka
1 cup candy corn

Preparation:
Pour full contents of vodka bottle and candy corn into an airtight container. Shake and let sit for 3-4 hours to infuse. Strain, rebottle and chill before using.

Candy Corn Cocktail
Ingredients:
2 oz Candy corn-infused vodka
.75 oz Orange liqueur
.5 oz Lime juice
Garnish: Crushed candy corn
 
Preparation:
Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake until chilled and strain into a martini glass rimmed with crushed candy corn.
Tootsie Roll by Aisha Sharpe

Ingredients:
2 oz Bulleit Rye Whiskey
1 oz Lustau Pedro Ximenez Sherry
6 dashes Scrappy's Chocolate Bitters
Garnish:1 Luxardo Maraschino Cherry

Preparation:
Add all the ingredients to a mixing glass and fill with ice. Stir until ice-cold and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a Luxardo Maraschino Cherry.

Peanut Butter Cup Martini by Van Gogh Vodka

 

Ingredients:
1.5 oz Van Gogh Dutch Chocolate Vodka  

1 oz Castries Crème Peanut Rum

.75 oz Chocolate liqueur

.5 oz Cream

Garnish:1 Peanut butter cup and chocolate syrup

Preparation:
Drizzle chocolate syrup along the inside of a chilled Martini glass and place the glass in the refrigerator. Add the remaining ingredients to a shaker and fill with ice. Shake vigorously and strain into the prepared glass. Garnish with a peanut butter cup.
 

We hope you devour the details of these candy inspired cocktails and have a satisfying adult Halloween!

Monday Mashups: Pop-Up Vending Machine

Welcome back to the work week folks! We have a case of the Mondays and are sure you do too. Let's forget what day it is for now and just focus on the mashup we're bringing you today! We've heard of pop-up stores and pop-up restaurants so when we saw this brand activation focused around a pop-up vending machine, we weren't that shocked (but we still think it's awesome)! Check out what Hyatt did to get New Yorkers interested in their new travel-focused campaign.

We are all use to seeing vending machines dispense soda, chips and candy bars but this one didn't do any of that. It, in fact, offered prizes such as Starbucks gift cards, selfie sticks, a Vespa and even a private limo service around the city. Pretty cool, right? Hyatt Centric--the new hotel brand aimed at millennial travelers, launched this attraction on October 20 to promote its exploration-focused campaign.

The structure, produced by Awestruck Marketing, offered more than 1,600 travel-theme prizes that were advertised on a grid. Along with what we mentioned earlier, additional prizes included $10,000 worth of Hyatt gift cards, $5,000 weekend getaways to a Hyatt hotel of choice, and a Shinola Detroit Arrow bicycle. Once passersby posted a photo of their favorite destination to Instagram with the hashtags #HyattCentric and #Sweepstakes, they could participate in the activation by pressing a large white button to win a prize at random. A great tactic by Hyatt to spread the word via social media.

The activation also took place in conjunction with the rebranding of the Hyatt Times Square New York to the Hyatt Centric Times Square, which later that night hosted a Z100 Jason Derulo performance. One of the vending machine prizes was two tickets to the show, which was co-hosted by iHeartMedia. Definitely a clever way to promote this new campaign! We are intrigued by Hyatt's branding and how they've tied their prizes to activities and products that millennials find attractive. We know we're going to check out Hyatt Centric when planning our next getaway!

We hope you're able to devour the details of all your great stories to come with the help of Hyatt Centric!

Have a Happy and Haunted Weekend

If you are in the mood for a good scare this weekend, we've got just the thing for you. From zombies to paranormal activity, these haunted happenings will have you howling! Check out these thrill and fright-filled attractions in preparation for Halloween. But be warned--lack of sleep may be one major side effect!

Ghost Ship Harbor

Step aboard the USS Salem for a unique haunted experience on water rather than land. This museum turned fright fest immerses visitors in a chilling story of contagion and plague, where those fleeing the mainland undergo extensive examinations before they enter the ship and experience chaos once the disease spreads through the passengers. There's also the Ouija attraction, which involves a guided ghost hunt through the bowels of the ship for select visitors. Choose your scare, or enjoy all three!

$30, select nights through Halloween, evening hours vary, Unites States Naval Ship Building Museum, 739 Washington St., Quincy

Barrett’s Haunted Mansion

You've probably heard commercials for this one on the radio (and even those scare us a little). In addition to Barrett’s regularly scary programming, visitors can also opt for Darkness Unleashed, a new amped-up version, not for the faint of heart. Plus, there's also a lights-on tour and guide through all the attractions and backstage, giving you a "behind the scenes" look into the life of scaring.

$25, open daily September 23-November 3, 7-10:30PM, 1235 Bedford St., Route 18, Abington

Hysteria at Connors Farm

Hysteria offers three different attractions, but of course the most popular is  Zombie Paintball, which is exactly as fun as it sounds, especially for those preparing for the apocalypse! Get your Walking Dead on at Connors Farm!

$25 for Haunted Farm, $25 for Zombie Paintball, Fridays and Saturdays through October 31, dusk-11PM, 30 Valley Road, Danvers

13 Nights at Jiminy

Those who are brave enough will find themselves surrounded by the creatures of the night that emerge from the darkness surrounding Jericho Valley’s Jiminy Peak. Visitors stop at the resort’s haunted prison, and then make their way to the mountain’s summit, where absolutely nothing good awaits. Seriously, why do we do this to ourselves? The Haunted Soaring Eagle Zipline and the Haunted Giant Swing offer additional fun, especially for those of us that may want to skip being scared to death!

$25, October 1-31, days and times vary, Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort, 37 Corey Road, Hancock

Ghost Tours at the Mount

This attraction is right up our alley! The Mount is a century-old residence in the hills of the Berkshires that has the Ghost Hunters seal of approval. So if its been on TV it must be haunted, right? The house, previously the residence of Edith Wharton, an author famous for her ghost stories, has its own fair share of hauntings. Sounds, shadows, and odd sensations follow visitors as they tour the servants’ quarters, stables, and formal rooms—all supposed breeding grounds for paranormal activity. We cringe just reading about it. Come visit this haunted mansion with us for a good scare!

$24, Fridays through October 31, The Mount, 2 Plunkett St., Lenox

We feel haunted just writing about these eerie events! If you're crazy enough to devour the details of all five haunted happenings, we wish you the best of luck. Happy Halloween!

Wedding Wednesdays: Not Your Average Bouquet

Seriously, we know we say this every week but one thing that truly fascinates us about weddings are the trends that come to life each season. The new ideas and intricate details each bride or planner comes up with seem to top the previous. We love how everyone is pushing the limits and flourishing in their creativity! This week we want to highlight how this is being done for none other than bridal party bouquets. We're talking utterly unique design trends that truly standout in every ceremony space. Get inspired by these not so average bouquets today!

For the bride that loves sweets...

You can't top this ice cream cone inspired bouquet! It'll make your guests do a double-take!

For the bride that wants to go hands-free...

You can just wear a stunning floral design instead! Ditch the bouquet all together and make a statement with this piece!

For the bride that wants more than just flowers...

Incorporating other vegetation brings a natural element to your wedding. We love the idea of having lemons for the brightness and fresh scent!

For the bride that wants to go big or go home...

In most cases, one giant flower stands out more than an elaborate bouquet. The simpler the better! Having a single flower may also help keep your costs down and we know how important that can be.

For the bride that wants to round up her arrangements...

This dynamic design contributes to a more whimsical theme. Its also definitely easier for your bridesmaids to hold, especially if you're planning a lengthy ceremony!

For the fashion forward bride...

These flower cuff bouquet replacements are hitting the wedding scene hard and we've looked forward to seeing them take off! If you are a fashion forward, glam bride, this design is totally intended for you! Rock this look on your big day!

We hope these got your creative juices flowing and you're able to devour the details of some not so average bouquets for your wedding day!

Get Lost in these Ah-maize-ing New England Corn Mazes!

Before the cold weather really hits us, take the next few weekends to explore all that fall in New England has to offer! Like apple picking, pumpkin carving, wine drinking (we guess you can do that all year long), and the time-honored tradition of navigating your way through a corn maze, to name a few. Do we even have to say it..

New England has a number of looping and confusing cornfields that will totally challenge your sense of direction. Check out our five favorites you have to try out before fall is over!

Treworgy Family Orchards

About 60,000 ears of corn make up the four-acre “The Good Knight and the Dragon”, a mammoth maze at Treworgy Family Orchards in Levant, ME.

Foster Family Farm

This year, the Foster Family Farm in South Windsor, CT, decided to dedicate one of its two full-size corn maze designs to first responders, carving out uncanny resemblances to a firefighter and police officer. We love the thoughtfulness behind this design!

Sauchuk's Corn Maze

Going with a Charlie Brown theme in 2016, Sauchuk's Corn Maze in Plympton, MA, features Snoopy!

Davis Mega Maze

David Ortiz may have taken his last swing for the Boston Red Sox, but you can still celebrate the slugger by navigating the Big Papi corn maze at Davis Mega Maze in Sterling, MA!

Mike's Maze at Warner Farm

From a sheer design perspective, it’s hard to beat this year’s offering from Mike’s Maze at Warner Farm in Sunderland, MA, which pays homage to Yellowstone National Park and the 100th anniversary of the National Park system.

We hope you have an ah-maize-ing time at these cornfields and devour the details of the rest of the season with lots of fall fun! Let us know which is your favorite!

Monday "Monster Mash"-ups: Four Festive Food and Drink Ideas for Halloween

Just two weeks until the spookiest holiday arrives and trick-or-treaters will be at your door! Get in the Halloween spirit and create a number of ghoulishly good snacks for your guests. We've got four festive ideas that will take your spooktacular treats to the next level! It's almost bewitching hour, so pick up your ingredients soon as candy goes fast this time of year.

Let's start off savory!

Spooky Mac & Cheese Muffins

Super easy to make and definitely something everyone can enjoy! Kick the spookiness up a notch by getting some brain-shaped molds and transforming these muffins into Hannibal Lecter's favorite snack! Get the recipe here.

Now on to something sweet!

Pumpkin Cheesecake

A gourmet dessert inside a pumpkin! Might as well utilize every bit of this glorious globe of goodness. Try out the recipe today!

Last but not least, cocktails!

The Poisoned Apple

With a dash of this and a splash of that, this cocktail comes to life with the swirls of smoke from dry ice! A truly sinister concoction. Get a taste for this treat here!

The Blackbeard

We've never seen a black cocktail before that actually tastes good! There may be some odd ingredients in this concoction but what's a better time of the year to be daring than Halloween? Am I right? Check out this peculiar recipe here!

If these don't prepare you for a ghoulishly good time, we don't know what will! Devour the details of a festive feast for your Halloween party and give your guests a real treat (an maybe some candy too)!

Bringing New Light and New Life to Boston's City Hall

Boston City Hall is the seat of city government of Boston, Massachusetts. It includes the offices of the mayor of Boston, Mayor Marty Walsh, and the Boston City Council. The current hall was built in 1968 and is a prominent example of the "experimental" architectural style.

The building itself was built as the keystone of a massive urban renewal project, initiated by Mayor John Hynes during the 1950s; meant to transform Boston from a dilapidated backwater slump into a world-class metropolis. By building a new City Hall within a lively central complex that would also include federal and state office buildings, Boston’s leaders sought to demonstrate to everybody, the world at large as well as to the business community, and to Bostonians, that together, we were going to rebuild and reenergize the city on step at a time.

After City Hall’s completion, Bostonians commonly complained that the place was a bit of an eyesore. And yet the broader effort, as mentioned above that had led to its construction, was undeniably succeeding. Thanks in part to the development of Government Center, Boston was becoming a thriving city. Businesses were opening up downtown and developers broke new ground on buildings. Eventually, Boston’s unfortunate past quickly faded into memory. And while there’s no doubt that City Hall was just one piece of a puzzle that also included the development of the Prudential Center, the Central Artery, and Faneuil Hall Marketplace, it went a long way toward changing the perception that Boston was a city with a past but no future. Leading us to the life of Boston City Hall today that we all can appreciate!

In an effort to “bring new light and new life to Boston City Hall,” the mayor’s office said the new exterior light installation will be demonstrated tonight, Thursday, October 13 at 6:30PM during the Light Bright Beer Garden on City Hall Plaza. The new fixtures will bathe the building in a warm white light, with the capacity to project various colors during special events. Similar to the light displays of the TD Garden and Prudential building, City Hall is surely to be recognized now when traveling through the city. The Light Bright Beer Garden starts at 5PM, and is free and open to the public.

Note this down in the history books as another transformable moment for Boston's City Hall! This is definitely a step in the right direction to bring new light and devour the details of one of the city's most prominent buildings. Can't wait to check it out!

Wedding Wednesdays: Three Fall Wedding Fashion Trends We Love

There are so many new fashion trends revealed each day. Whether its pulling from past decades or looking more futuristic, creativity with clothing never stops. That's why as a bride, it is important to follow along and see which fashion forward details you can pull into your wedding style! We've rounded up our three favorite fall trends that we can't wait to see you incorporate. Check them out!

1. Colored Veils

Don't get us wrong, we love tradition--that's why a white, off-white or champagne colored dress is always a must--but if you feel like you need that pop of color, do it with your veil! It's a beautiful way to express yourself on your big day without taking away from your classic gown.

2. Spiced-Up Garters

If you don't want that pop of color to show and want a little surprise for your future husband, spicing up your garter is the way to do it! This significant piece of bridal fashion can be as detailed or as wild as you want. Go on girl, get creative with your garter!

3. Unique Boleros

Probably one of our favorite ways to add to a bridal gown is with a bolero. You can have color, you can have sparkle, you can have lace or you can have all of that combined for that matter! It is really up to you and what looks and feels the best. But, we recommend that whatever it may be, you make a statement and rock it all night long!

We hope these fall wedding fashion trends inspire you to embrace your own style on and you're able to devour the details of your bridal ensemble with confidence and grace!